Shillong, Jul 21: A day after police in New Delhi violently broke up the burgeoning Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protests that called for the resignation of the Union Education Minister, a slew of organisations and political parties in Meghalaya have expressed their support for the rights of the protestors while condemning the actions of the police.
The youth wing of the Voice of the People Party (VPP) extended its “unwavering support and solidarity” to the ongoing movement led by the CJP.
VPP youth wing president Marbud Dkhar said that the issues being raised against corruption, nepotism and political interference in public institutions are not confined to one region but concern the future of democracy and governance across India.
“The VPP has, since its inception, stood firmly on the principles of clean politics, transparent governance, merit-based opportunities and accountability in public life. We have consistently maintained that corruption and nepotism weaken public institutions, deny deserving citizens equal opportunities, and erode people’s faith in the democratic system. Likewise, institutions entrusted with serving the public must remain independent and insulated from partisan political influence,” he said.
Another party in opposition, the Congress, also voiced its anger at events in Delhi. At a press conference here today, it was announced that a four-member Youth Congress delegation will travel to New Delhi tomorrow to meet students and protesters reportedly injured during the July 20 police action. The delegation aims to take stock of the situation and extend support to those impacted by the crackdown.
In the evening, the Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee staged a surprise protest outside Governor’s House, condemning the use of force against opposition MPs during a protest in New Delhi today.
Congress leaders and workers gathered outside the Lok Bhavan carrying placards and banners while raising slogans against the Centre. The demonstrators alleged that the action against opposition MPs was unconstitutional and demanded that the government allow a discussion on the issues being raised in Parliament.
Speaking to reporters, Congress General Secretary Manuel Badwar claimed that around 50 MPs had marched towards the Prime Minister’s residence and alleged that force was used against them. He further alleged that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was manhandled and claimed that the “diktat came from the top.”
He described the protests as a nationwide movement and alleged that the Prime Minister and the central government were not concerned about the people’s grievances.
“We have voiced our frustration. We have demanded his resignation in the past, but he has never taken responsibility, whether it is Manipur or the plight of students. Everything is scripted,” he alleged.
Badwar also accused the Centre of favouring only “certain people and industrialists” while ignoring the concerns of ordinary citizens.
Delhi Police forcibly removed and detained Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as well as SP chief Akhilesh Yadav from the protest site outside the PM’s residence.
Rahul Gandhi along with other Congress leaders, including the Chief Ministers of Karnataka and Kerala, started a sit-in protest around 3:30pm against the police action on protesting students the day earlier.
As police swooped down on the site, the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha could be seen lying on the ground and resisting as security personnel tried to pick him up. He was hurt in the process. An aide said he suffered an injury below the eye. There were dramatic scenes with Priyanka Gandhi hanging on the door of the police bus even after it started moving.
The Delhi unit of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) said it was “deeply angered and disturbed” by the treatment meted out to the “peaceful student protestors”, especially after a lathi-charge and use of tear gas by police yesterday. The KSU said some of its members in Delhi will be present at Jantar Mantar to support the protestors. “We believe that remaining silent in the face of injustice only allows it to continue,” the pressure group stated.
Earlier, Congress Seva Dal chief organiser Banphira Basaiawmoit said the Congress has been actively supporting students protesting over alleged examination paper leaks and maintained that the issue extends beyond party politics.
“This is not just about the Congress. It is about our society, our future and the welfare of students. Paper leaks are not a joke. Students and their families invest years of hard work, money and hope into preparing for examinations. When question papers are leaked, it destroys their trust in the system,” he said.
He further expressed concern over what he described as a lack of public participation in protests in Shillong, urging greater awareness about issues affecting students across the country.
“If the system continues to fail, it will affect everyone. It will impact the quality of future doctors, engineers and professionals. We cannot remain silent when students lose faith in the examination process,” Basaiawmoit added.
Meanwhile, the Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organisations (COMSO) strongly condemned the use of force by Delhi Police.
“The images and reports of police action against unarmed protesters are deeply disturbing and undermine the democratic values enshrined in the Constitution of India,” COMSO chairman Roy Kupar Synrem stated, adding that in a democratic nation every citizen has the fundamental right to peacefully assemble and voice their grievances.
Delhi police claimed that nearly 120 of its personnel were injured by protestors in yesterday’s clashes but there is no way of confirming this. Around 60 protestors were injured (again an unconfirmed number), with at least one receiving lifesaving treatment in hospital.
Synrem stated that while the authorities have a duty to maintain law and order, such responsibility must be discharged with restraint, proportionality and due respect for the constitutional rights and dignity of the people. He appealed to the protesters to continue exercising their democratic rights peacefully and responsibly. “The strength of any democracy lies not in suppressing dissent but in respecting and responding to the voices of its citizens. The youth of this country must be heard, not silenced,” Synrem said.
Religious groups also weighed in, with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) expressing “profound anguish” while unequivocally condemning the “brutal lathi-charge and use of tear gas against peacefully protesting students during their ‘Sansad March’ in Delhi”.
Fr Robinson Rodrigues, the public relations officer of the CBCI, said, “Our youth, the true future of this nation, took to the streets with legitimate demands for urgent accountability and reforms in our education system. Meeting their peaceful, democratic expression with disproportionate force is a heartbreaking assault on the very soul of our democracy.”
The CBCI said it stands firmly united with all the students who faced this “harrowing brutality”.
“Furthermore, we extend our steadfast solidarity to visionary activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has selflessly endured a prolonged hunger strike for these vital reforms. We are deeply concerned for his well-being during his forced admission at Safdarjung Hospital. We urge the authorities to address his noble demands with compassion and understanding, not repression,” Fr Rodrigues said.
